volunteer abroad with cross-cultural solutions in robertson, south africa

Cross-Cultural SolutionsRobertson, South Africa Webinar

Li Quach, Senior Manager of CommunicationsVolunteered in South Africa, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Thailand and Peru

Host

Getting to Know Robertson

Interesting Facts:

Small town located 90 minutes from Cape Town

Ideal for nature enthusiasts

Surrounded by mountains and vineyards

Languages Spoken: English, Afrikaans, Isi-Xhosa

Townships in Robertson

Nkubela – Black township Bo Dorp – Colored township

Orientation into Robertson

•Saturday• Volunteers arrive at CPT before

6pm on Saturday • Drive Saturday evening to

Robertson, supper upon arrival•Sunday• Welcome lunch: Boerekos on the

Kolgans river boat• Drive back through Robertson,

Nkqubela, Bo Dorp•Monday• Placement Orientation• South African History• Township tour of Nkqubela

Home-Base

All volunteers stay at the Home-Base

Meals:• Carefully prepared by CCS cooks • 3 delicious meals a day, and snacks and fruit

available at all times• Safe drinking water

Location:• Walking distance of all amenities such as

internet, laundry, shopping centers and restaurants

• 1 block from main road through town, location of tourist center and bus/train depot

Features:• 5 Bedrooms, each with own bath• Lounge (Common Area)• Nice outside garden, great for braai’s• Wireless internet connection

CCS Robertson Staff

Country Director - Luann HataneLuann has 15 years experience working on civil society strengthening, policy development, and community mobilization. She was HIV/AIDS Coordinator with responsibility for the management of all HIV/AIDS initiatives for CARE in Lesotho, South Africa, and Swaziland. Luann also served as Executive Director of the Western Cape Networking AIDS Community of South Africa and was the Project Coordinator with Cape Town’s Salesian Institute supervising the management, assessment, and residential care of 30 street youths. She is trained as a social worker.

House Manager - Lynda BesaansCooks/HousekeepersDriverGroundskeeper/Security

What can volunteers do?

•Teaching* (2 Primary Schools, 1 High School)Teaching Children Teaching Conversational English Assisting Teachers of Special Education

•Caregiving (1 crèche, 1 special care center)Caring for Infants & Children Caring for People with Disabilities

•Healthcare (1 hospital, 2 hospices) Observing and Assisting Local Health Professionals Working with People Affected by HIV/AIDS

*School holidays will be extended for 2 weeks to a total of 6 weeks off in 2010 due to the World Cup

Volunteering at the Farm School

Four Classrooms in the schoolActivities in two younger classes- Read books- Sang songs- Did art projects (made cards)- Taught basic English

Activities in two older classes- Art Projects (Made photo frames and painted t-shirts)- Had conversational English

My Overall Project- Had a video exchange between a class in New York and the farm school

Cultural & Learning Activities

•Township Tour•HIV/AIDS workshop•Local Nature Reserves•Private tour of Graham Beck Wines•Afrikaans Language Lessons•Isi-Xhosa Language Lessons•Traditional Meal in Nkqubela•Tour of Bo Dorp•Guest Speakers on community development issues such as inequity and land reform

What can I do in my free time?

Around Robertson- Hiking- Horse Back Riding- Explore Town- Winery Tours- Spas

What can I do in my free time?

Weekend Trips - Cape Town

What can I do in my free time?

Weekend Trips- Garden Route (Ostrich riding, Cango Caves, Bungee Jumping)

Day Trips-Shark Cage Diving-Safaris

How’s Robertson different from Cape Town?

Robertson

- Small Town- Quiet/relaxed atmosphere- Safe to walk around - Opportunity to build more personal relationships with people in the community- Less placement options

Cape Town- Big City - Lots of tourist attractions- Many more safety concerns- More placement options are available

You’re Not Just a Tourist

When Can I Volunteer?

Available Start Dates

•April 17• May 15 • June 5• June 26• July 17 • August 8